[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL102023
1109 PM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**HEAVY RAIN AND TORNADO THREAT FROM IDALIA INCREASING OVERNIGHT**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Beaufort, East Carteret, Mainland Hyde, Pamlico, and
      Southern Craven
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Onslow,
      Duplin, Hatteras Island, Inland Onslow, Jones, Mainland Dare,
      Northern Craven, Northern Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island,
      Tyrrell, and West Carteret
    - A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for Hatteras Island
      and the Northern Outer Banks.

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 300 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 220 miles
      west-southwest of Morehead City NC
    - 33.0N 80.0W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 21 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Idalia will move off the South Carolina Coast
tonight. It will then track along the North Carolina coast Thursday
morning with the center passing over Onslow Bay Thursday morning.
Regardless of the exact track of Idalia, significant impacts are
expected for eastern North Carolina.

Heavy rain bands will bring widespread rainfall amounts of 5 to
10 inches, with isolated amounts up to 15" possible, bringing the
threat of localized flash flooding especially in low-lying, urban, and
poor drainage areas.

Dangerous storm surge inundation of 2-4 feet above ground is possible
along the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers and associated tributaries, as well
as Core and southern Pamlico Sounds. Winds approaching tropical storm
force could lead to some downed trees and isolated power outages,
especially along and east of Highway 17. Tornadoes may result in areas
of locally enhanced damage overnight, particularly near the coast.

Dangerous marine conditions are expected for all offshore waters and
the Pamlico Sound, with strong winds and dangerous seas building to
create treacherous conditions for mariners. Localized ocean overwash
is expected along the coast due to high surf. Stronger and more
frequent rip currents will also exist along area beaches.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across all of eastern North Carolina. Potential
impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having
possible extensive impacts across coastal Onslow and Carteret counties.
Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the
      execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of
      immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy
      buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak
      foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees
      twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles
      lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed.
      Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll.

Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible limited to
significant impacts south of a line from Cape Hatteras to Jacksonville.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the Neuse and Pamlico River and adjacent tributaries
as well as the southern Pamlico and Core Sounds. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the Albemarle Sound, Outer Banks, and Crystal Coast.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the immediate Crystal Coast. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the remainder of eastern North Carolina, particularly east of
Highway 17.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Dangerous marine conditions are expected across all the waters, with
strong winds and seas building to create treacherous conditions for
mariners. Life-threatening surf conditions with stronger and more
frequent rip currents and strong shore break will also exist along
area beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.


* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Newport/Morehead City NC around 5 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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